Motorists traveling along the Sokoto-Gusau road in northern Nigeria have appealed to the government to protect them from frequent attacks by armed men allegedly linked to notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji.
Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, the drivers expressed fear and frustration over what they described as relentless assaults by the criminals, who ambush vehicles, kidnap travelers, and disrupt lives on one of the region’s key transportation routes.
Abubakar Sanusi, a motorist who uses the road regularly, painted a grim picture of the dangers travelers face.
“The bandits, suspected to be linked to Bello Turji, attack people on the road almost daily. They often block the road between Mafara and Gidan Kudu, kidnapping travellers,” he said.
Sanusi added that the situation has become so dire that many people now avoid the route altogether unless absolutely necessary.
“This constant attack is unfortunate, and it seems security personnel are not ready to act on the situation. We call on security agencies to come to our aid and ensure the road is safe for all. These attacks are becoming a daily occurrence,” he stressed.
The drivers urged both the government and security agencies to take swift action to restore safety along the road.
“We need more presence of law enforcement on this route.nThe bandits seem to act with impunity, and we are left to fend for ourselves,” one motorist added.
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The Sokoto-Gusau road is a crucial link for commuters and businesses, but its reputation for violence has left many residents and motorists in fear.
Bello Turji is a well-known name in the region, associated with a series of violent bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings across northern Nigeria. Despite several government crackdowns on banditry, Turji’s network of armed men remains active, particularly in rural areas where security presence is weak.
Citizens are now demanding greater accountability from the government, which they believe has not done enough to address the persistent insecurity.
“How long can we continue like this? We need the government to act now, not later,” one commuter questioned.
The issue of banditry has plagued many parts of northern Nigeria for years, with roads becoming hotspots for attacks. Efforts to combat the menace, including military operations and negotiations with some bandit leaders, have so far failed to yield lasting results.